Premier League preview: Sunderland v Wigan

Fresh from their victories in the League Cup, Sunderland and Wigan Athletic will clash in the Premier League on Saturday.

Sunderland accounted for League One club Milton Keynes Dons, while Wigan beat Premier League rivals West Ham United in the third round of the League Cup midweek.

Both teams are locked on four points in the Premier League, with Sunderland in 12th on the back of four straight draws.

Despite accounting for Southampton early on, Wigan have slipped to 15th following losses to Manchester United and Fulham in their last two outings.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez faces a selection dilemma at the Stadium of Light after promising to reward players who impressed at West Ham with starting berths.

Martinez’s men won 4-1 at Upton Park, with forward Mauro Boselli netting a brace in his first competitive start since returning from a loan spell at Argentine club Estudiantes.

“You have individual performances of a high quality, including Mauro Boselli who deserved his goals and took them very well,” Martinez said.

“I’ve said from the beginning of the season that he looks sharp and a player of that stature is going to be very important to us this season.

“Callum McManaman showed he’s a player ready to step in, Ryo Miyaichi brought together all the concepts of his training so far and David Jones paired well with James McArthur in the midfield ahead of the defence.”

Sunderland thumped Wigan 4-1 last time the teams met in January, though Martinez’s side prevailed 2-1 in their clash at the Stadium of Light.